Chapter 21

The scandal with Vanessa had finally faded from the public eye, leaving behind a quiet relief that Derek and Elena clung to like a lifeline. More than a week had passed since the headlines stopped screaming, and now, on their honeymoon, the couple had settled into a rhythm of stolen glances and easy laughter. The Caribbean sun hung low, casting a golden glow over their balcony as they lounged in wicker chairs, the ocean stretching endlessly before them. The air smelled of salt and freedom, a stark contrast to the chaos they’d left behind. Elena sipped her iced tea, her eyes tracing Derek’s profile—his sharp jaw, the faint scar above his brow, the way his dark hair caught the breeze. He seemed relaxed, but she knew him too well to miss the shadow lurking beneath his calm. She set her glass down, the clink against the table pulling him from his thoughts.